Gurthiern and Vortigern

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The text of the Vita sancta Gurthierni
Robert Vermaat

The Life of Saint Gurthiern

Section I

Hæc est genealogia sancti Gurthierni nobilis genere, incliti officio, quam quidem laicus fidelis, nomine Iuthael filius Aidan, demonstrauid, non pro terreno munere, sed pro celesti.[1]

This is the genealogy of Saint Gurthiern, of noble birth, and the praiseworthy service, which a certain faithful layman, named Juthael, the son of Aidan, delivered, not for earthly treasure but for heavenly. [2]

This is the genealogy of Saint Gurthiern, of noble birth, renowned in duty, which a certain faithful laicus, by name of Iuthael son of Aidan, has pronounced, not for earthly but for heavenly reward: [3]

Igitur Gurthiern filius Boni filii Glou filii Abros filii Dos filii Iacob filii Genethauc filii Iugdual filii Beli filii Outham Senis filii Maximiani filii Constantii filii Constantini filii Helene que Crucem Christi habuisse refertur.

Accordingly, Gurthiern was the son of Bonus, who was the son of Glou the son of Abros the son of Dos the son of Jacob the son of Genethauc the son of Jugdual the son of Beli the son of Outham the Elder The son of Maximian the son of Constantus the son of Constantine the son of Helen who was thought to have held the Cross of Christ.

Thus Gurthiern son of Bon son of Glou son of Abros son of Dos son of Iacob son of Genethauc son of Iugdual son of Beli son of Outham Senex son of Maximian son of Constantius son of Constantine son of Helen who is said to have possessed the cross of Christ.

Haec est genealogia Gurthierni ex parte matris suae: ergo Gurthiern filius Dinoi filiæ Lidinin regis qui tenuit principatum totius Britanniæ Maioris.

This is the genealogy of Gurthiern on his mother's side: Thus, Gurthiern was son of Dinoi, the daughter of King Lidinin who was the king of all the Britons.

This is the genealogy of St Gurthiern on his mother's side: thus, Gurthiern son of Dinoi, daughter of Lidinin the king who ruled all of Great Britain.

Beli et Kenan duo fratres erant, filii Outham Senis. Ipse Kenan tenuit principatum quando perrexerunt Britones ad Romam. Illic tenuerunt Læticiam et reliq(...) Beli filius Anne quam dicunt esse consobrinam Mariæ genitricis Christi.

Beli and Kenan were two brothers, the sons of Outham the Elder. Kenan himself held the kingship when the British came to Rome. They held power in Laeticia (Brittany), and the (rest?). Beli was the son of Anne who was said to be the cousin of Mary who bore the Christ.

Beli and Kenan were two brothers of Outham Senex. That Kenan was ruling when the Britons went to Rome (perrexerunt ad Romam). There they held Letavia [4] (i.e. Brittany), and the rest ... Beli was the son of Anne who is said to have been the cousin of Mary the mother of Christ.

Section II

Incipit uero conuersatio sancti Gurthierni secundum traditionem eiusdem.

This indeed is the description of the beginnings of Saint Gurthiern, according to his traditions.

Here begin indeed the deeds (conversatio) of St Gurthiern according to that same tradition.

Gurthiernus, quando fuit iuuenis, exiuit quodam die cum patre suo ad bellandum contra inimicos suos. Gurthiernus et pater eius uictores in illa die fuerunt, et Gurthiernus filium sororis suæ occidit. Nesciebat enim esse amicum sibi, et postquam intellexit esse filium sororis suæ, penituit se hanc culpam facere et fleuit. Et postea exiuit in desertum et habitauit in ualle magna, inter duos montes, in septemtrionali parte Britanniæ, et ibi penitentiam ad spatium unius anni egit, et nullus habitauit cum eo. Et ibi paruum cubiculum sibi fecit, et aqua uiua in proximo cubiculi illius fuit, et petra magna iuxta ripam fluminis erat, et in illo flumine emergit suum corpus in unaquaque die.

Gurthiern, when he was a young man, departed home one day with his father to do battle against their enemies. Gurthiern and his father achieved victory that day, but Gurthiern killed his sister's son. He didn't recognize him as a relative and when he later discovered that it had been his nephew, he repented of this wicked deed, and he wept. Afterwards, he exiled himself to the wilderness and lived in a great valley between two mountains, in the furthest northern regions of Britain, and he did penance there for a full year, and none lived with him. And there, he built for himself a small hut, and located this hut right next to running water, and a great rock was also near the bank of that river, and he would plunge himself into the river every day.

Gurthiern, when he was a young man, went forth on a certain day with his father to fight against his enemies. Gurthiern and his father were victorious that day and Gurthiern killed the son of his sister. He did not know, however, that it was his amicus and after he realized that this was the son of his sister, he regretted that he had committed such a guilty act and lamented. And afterwards he went out into the wasteland and lived in a great valley between two mountains in the northern part of Britannia. There he did penance for one year, and none lived with him. And there he made himself a small cell, with fresh water next to it, and there was a great rock next to the shore of the creek. In that creek he immersed himself every day and night.

Et quando a flumine ascendabat, super petram iacebat et orabat. Sic utebatur in illo loco ad spatium unius anni. Quodam autem die, quidam uenator ad illum uenit et uidens iuuenum sedentem et orantem sine intermissione super petram, interrogauit eum et dixit: "Cur hic, fili, habitas ?" Et respondit iuuenis : "Meritum meum mihi fecit." Et iurauit illi nulli se dicturum esse eum in illo loco.

And when he rose from the river, he laid down and prayed on top of the rock. Thus he made use of that place for a year's time. Then one day, a certain hunter came to that place and saw the young man sitting and praying without ceasing on top of the rock, and he questioned him, saying: "Son, why are you living here?" And the young man responded : "To make myself worthy." And he made him swear not to tell anyone he was in that place.

When he rose from the creek, he cast himself the rock and prayed. Thus he lived in that place for one year. But on a certain day, a certain hunter came to that place and seeing the youth sitting and praying without rest on top of the rock, questioned him and said: "Why do you live here, [young man]?" And the youth responded : "This is my penance." And he swore to him that he should tell no one that he was in that place.

Et postea uenator ad domum patris illius migrauit et nuntiauit omnia quæ uiderat, referens illum iuuenum sedentem et orantem super petram similem esse filio regis. Cui rex: "Pergamus ad illum locum, ut uideamus illum laborantem, ut dixisti." Et postea perrexerunt ad illum locum ubi habitabat iuuenis et uiderunt illum laborantem iuxta ripam, et fugit in cubiculum suum et fleuit.

Later, the hunter came to the home of the youth's father and proclaimed all that he had seen, describing the youth sitting and praying on the rock, looking like the son of a King. The king said, "Take us to that place, in order that we may see that which you speak of." Soon afterward, they proceeded to that place where the youth lived, and saw the work near the riverbank, but, the boy ran away into his hut and wept.

And afterwards the hunter left for the house of his father and reported all that he had seen, saying that the young man sitting and praying on the rock resembled the son of the King. To him the king said, "Let us go to that place, so that we might see that one labouring, as you said." And then they went to that place where the young man lived and saw him labouring on the shore and he fled into his cell and lamented.

Et pater illius rogauit illum dicens: "O fili mi, cur facis hoc opus hic? Debes uenire mecum ad domum meam et accipere regnum patris tui." Et ille negauit fortiter. Et ait pater: "Ego faciam tibi monasterium et multitudinem monachorum." Et mansit per spatium anni illic et orauit. Et uenit angelus Domini ad eum et dixit ei: "Perge ad alium locum quem tibi uoluntas Dei preuidit." Et exiuit cum duobus seruis ad uiam, et audierunt uocem mulieris cuiusdam et perrexerunt ad eam et interrogauerunt eam. "Quid tibi euenit, mulier ?" quæ dixit: "O serue Dei, unum filium habui et occisus est in bello." Cui ille: "Vt quid portas caput eius?" At illa: "Quia non potui portare corpus eius ad monumentum suum." Et ait illi "Perge ante nos ad illud corpus." Et perrexerunt simul et uiderunt quomodo res erat. Et ait Gurthiernus: "Da mihi caput eius, ut iungam illud corpori suo."

And his father asked of him, saying: "O my son, why do you do this thing here? You are obligated to come with me to my home and to accept your father's kingship." Yet he refused strongly, and said to his father, "I am making a monastery for you and (it will have) a multitude of monks." And he remained there for a year's time and he prayed. Then the angel of the Lord came to him and said, "Go hence to another place which God's will has provided for you". And he left for the journey with two servants, and they heard the voice of a woman and they headed toward her and beseeched of her, "What makes you journey out, woman?" She said, "O servant of God, I had but one son and he was killed in battle." He said: "Why are you carrying his head?" She answered, "Because I am not capable of carrying his body to his tomb." Then he said, "Lead us back to his body." Then they proceeded to the place and saw how the matter was. Then said Gurthiern, "Give me his head that I might rejoin it to his body."

His father enquired of him, saying: "O my son, why did you do this? You must come with me to my house and take the kingdom of your father." And he refused this vehemently. The father said, "I will [build] you a monastery and [install] many monks." [5] And [Gurthiern] stayed there for a year and prayed. And an angel of God came to him and said to him, "Go to another place which the will of God has foreseen for you" and he set upon the road with two servants. They heard the lamentations of a certain woman and they came to her and enquired of her, "What has happened to you, woman?" She replied, "O servant of God, I had but one son and he was killed in battle." To her [the saint] said: "Why are you carrying his head?" And she replied, "Since I am not capable to carry his body to his monument." [The saint] said, "Go before us to his body", and they went together and saw how the matter stood. And Gurthiern said, "Give me his head so that I might join it to his body."

10.

Oratione autem facta, benedixit eum uir Dei, et protinus resurrexit. Et increpauit illos: "Cur me eduxistis de bono loco in quo eram?" At illi: "Melius est tibi nobiscum manere et cum matre tua." Et ille,"Nolo." Cui uir sanctus,"Tamen mane et dic omnibus bonum quod uidisti, et ego orabo tecum ut inuenias iterum illum locum in quo ante fuisti." Et accepit benedictionem ab eo et mansit cum matre sua. Et inde exierunt ad ripam fluminis quod dicitur Tamar, et ibi manserunt longo tempore.

He prayed over him, and the man of God blessed him, and immediately the man came back to life! He even spoke, saying: "Why did you draw me back from that good place where I was?" He answered, "It is better that you remain with us and with your mother." He said, "I don't want to." The holy man said, "Nevertheless, remain here and tell everyone of the good which you saw, and I will pray for you that you might be able to return to that place where you were before." He accepted this blessing from him, and remained with his mother. Then they departed from that place, and from the banks of the river which is called Tamar, where they had dwelt for a long time.

Having said a prayer, the man of God blessed [the dead man] and immediately he arose again. And he rebuked them: "Why did you lead me out of the good place in which I was?" And [the saint] said, "It is better for you to remain here with us and with your mother." [The young man] said, "I do not wish it." The holy man replied, "Nevertheless remain and tell us all those good things which you saw, and I will pray with [or perhaps for] you that you will find the way to that place in which you were previously." And [the young man] accepted a blessing from him and remained with his mother. Thence they went to the shore of the river which is called the Tamar and there they stayed for a long time.

11.

Et uenit angelus Domini ad illos dicens: "Aspicite mare cotidie, et ueniet ad uos uas in quod intrabitis." Qui nauigantes applicuerunt in quamdam insulam et fuerunt in ea per spatium temporis. Postea uenit angelus ad eos et dixit: "Ite ad alium locum promissionis qui dicitur Anaurut."

Then came the angel of the Lord to him, saying: "Look toward the sea each day, a boat will come to you and you will enter it." By this (boat) they sailed, and brought the boat to land at a certain island and were there for a period of time. After this, an angel came to him and said, "Go forth to the other promised place, which is called Anaurot".

And the angel of God came to them saying: "Behold the sea each day, and a vessel will come into which you shall enter." Having set sail, they steered to a certain island and stayed in it for a period of time. Afterwards the angel came to them and said, "Go to another place which has been promised to you which is called Anaurut".

12.

Sanctus uero Gurthiernus ueniens ad designatum sibi locum, mansit ibi usque ad finem temporis sui, faciens signa et mirabilia ante et post.

Indeed, St. Gurthiern came to designate this place as his own, remaining there continuously to the end of his days, performing signs and wonders both before and after (his death).

St. Gurthiern, then, coming to the place designated to him, stayed there until the end of his days, performing portents and miracles before and after [his death].

13.

Commendauit autem angelus Domini ut in quacumque regione Britanniae; Minoris sit omnis ager sancti Gurthierni, seruiat Anaurut, quia electa est ciuitas a Deo; promisitque angelus uictoriam belli omnibus regibus qui custodierint pactum sancti Gurthierni. Quicumque autem reges et principes uel duces non custodierint, maledicti erunt a Domino. Sic omnes auete salutem ab omnibus clericis et laicis, episcopis et regibus, presbyteris et omnibus ordinibus pactum sancti Gurthierni custodientibus, ut sint in unitate Sancti Trinitatis in uita eterna, sicut accepistis a nobis salutem. Ita accipiatis commendationem angeli, ut inueniamus nos et uos misericordiam a Deo. Sic ualete.

The angel of the Lord committed to him that whole region of Brittany in order that the whole domain of St. Gurthiern, served Anaurot, because that city was chosen by God; and the angel promised victory in battle to all the rulers who observed this pact with Saint Gurthiern. And when certain kings and princes decided not to observe it, they were cursed by God. Thus all who coveted safety, from all the clerks and laity, bishops and kings, elders and all in orders, observed the pact of St. Gurthiern, in order to have unity with the Holy Trinity unto eternal life, just as you accept our greeting. In this way, you accept the commendation of the angel in order that we might receive mercies with you from God. So, farewell.

The angel of the Lord stipulated that in every region of Britannia Minor, each estate of St Gurthiern should answer to Anaurut, since that ciuitas was chosen by God. And the angel promised victory in war to all kings who should keep the compact with St Gurthiern. However, whichever kings or princes should not keep this compact will be cursed by God. Thus let all seek salvation from all clerics and laics, bishops and kings, priests and all orders keeping the compact of St Gurthiern, so that they might be in unity with the Holy Trinity in eternal life. Just as you receive from us salvation, so may you receive that which has been entrusted to you by the angel, so that we (and you) may find the mercy of God. Thus farewell.

Section III

14.

De inuentione reliquiarum sancti Gurthierni aliorumque sanctorum, tempore Benedicti abbatis et Guigoni filii Huelin de Castro Henpont, in insula Groe ab Oedrio monacho revelatarum.

Concerning the acquisition of the remains of Saint Gurthiern and other Saints, in the time of Abbot Benedict and Guigon the son of Huelin of the house of Hennebont, which were discovered on the island of Groe by Oedrio the monk.

Concerning the finding of the relics of St Gurthiern and other Saints, in the time of Benedict the Abbot and Guigon the son of Huelin of the castrum of Hennebont, [the relics] revealed on the island of Groix by Oederius the monk.

15.

Gurthierni reliquiæ sunt hæc, qui fuit rex Anglorum. Qui quamuis teneret regimen ipsius patriæ, plus tamen dilexit contemplatiuam uitam quam actiuam, et ita agendo dimisit patriam suam et in paruo lembulo uenit ad insulam quæ uocatur Groia, in qua persistens fecit plura miracula, et hic nobilissimi Chemeneth Eboeu dederunt sibi honorem. Inde uolauit fama ipsius usque ad Gradlonum Magnum, Cornugalliæ consulem, qui misit legatum suum ad illum ut ad se ueniret, deditque sibi ipse consul Anaurotam, ubi conueniunt Heleia atque Idola, et mille passus terre in circuitu ipsius uille, necnon et Beiam plebem.

Gurthiern's remains are here, who was king of the English. Who, if you will, held the kingdom of his father, but nevertheless, esteemed the contemplative life over the active, and in this regard, left his father and came in a small boat to the island called Groe from which determination came many miracles, here even the most noble Chemeneth Eboeu gave honor to him. From that place, his fame flew even to Gradlonus the Great, consul of Cornuaille who sent his legate to him that he might return, and gave to him the consulate of Anaurot, where the Elle and the Idole converge, and a thousand paces of land around that town, in fact, even the pleb of Beia.

These are the relics of Gurthiern, who was king of the English (qui fuit rex Anglorum). He, although he held the rule of his native land, preferred the contemplative life over an active life; thus he left his patrimony and came in a small skiff came to the island called Groix. There he remained and performed many miracles, and here the nobles of Kemenet-Heboe honoured him. From there his reputation spread even as far as Gradlon Magnus, consul of Cornugallia who sent his legate to him to ask [the saint] to come to him, and that same consul gave to him Anaurot, where met [the rivers] Ellé and Isole and one thousand paces of land in a circuit of that city, and even the plebs of Baye.

16.

In tempore illo, regnante Guerech com(ite), orta est pestilentia et fames in Broguerech, scilicet uermes comedebant segetes. Quapropter misit predictus comes nuntios suos ad sanctum Gurthiernum, uidelicet Guedgual et Catuoth et Cadur, ut subueniret patrie. Vir autem Dei cito aduenit et benedixit aquam, misitque per illam patriam, fugauitque immensam uermium multitudinem. Propter hoc comes Guerech dedit ei ueneacam plebem super Blauetum flumen, quæ postea uocata est Cheruenac, bonitate ipsius. Perseuerauit autem uir idem sanctus ibi usque ad obitum suum.

In that time, when Count Guerech ruled, there sprang up a pestilence and a famine in Broguerech, he knew that worms were consuming all the cornfields. Wherefore, he sent messages by his associate to Saint Gurthiern, and naturally Guedgal, and Catuoth, and Cadur, in order to aid their country. The man of God himself came to the afflicted place, and blessed the water, and by distributing it throughout the country, a great multitude of worms fled. Because of this, Count Guerech gave to him the pleb of Veneacus above the river Blavetus, which later was called the Chervenac, kindness indeed ! The holy man continued steadfastly there until his death.

In that time, when com[es] Guerech reigned, a pestilence and famine arose in Broerec, namely vermin ate the crops. Because of this, the aforesaid comes sent his messengers, namely Guedgal, Catuoth and Cadur, to St Gurthiern [to ask that] he might assist the realm. The man of God came quickly and blessed water, sent it through that realm, and caused a great multitude of vermin to flee. On this account, comes Guerech gave to him the plebs Veneaca upon the River Blavet, which afterwards was called the Kervignac, for his generosiy. That holy man stayed there until his death.

Section IV

17.

Hæc cartula prescripta inuenta de genealogia sancti Gurthierni cum reliquiis reuelatis, multum uetustate confecta, seruatur in peribolo celebris nostri monasterii.

This charter describes the compiling of the genealogy of Saint Gurthiern with the discovery of his remains; many of the oldest stories are preserved and celebrated within our monastery walls.

This little charter described above [cartula prescripta] of the genealogy of St Gurthiern, found with the revealed relics and showing great age, is kept in the enclosure (peribolo) of our renowned monastery.

18.

Hæc sunt nomina: reliquie sancti Gurthierni, pars capitis sancti Guenmoloci, reliquie Paulennani et Simphoriani et Tenennani et Guediani et Guenhaeli et Idiuneti et aliorum reliquiæ.

These are named: The remains of Saint Gurthiern, part of the head of Saint Guenmoloc, the remains of Paulennan and Symphorian and Tenennan and Guedian and Guenhael and Idiunetus and other remains.

These are the names: the relics of St Gurthiern, a part of the head of St Guénolé, relics of Paulenan and Symphorian and Tennennan and Guedian and Guenhael and Idunet and other relics.

Notes

^[1] From the edition of Maitre & de Berthou, which is reprinted by Tanguy (De la Vie, pp. 180-4).
^[2] This translation into English by Paul Cullety, Department of History, Keene State College.
^[3]This translation into English by Karen Jankulak, Director, MA in Arthurian Studies, Department of Welsh University of Wales, Lampeter. From the published edition of the Latin text which was corrected by Le Duc, whose new Latin edition will be published some time in the future.
^[4]The text seems to be corrupt here, reading ‘Illic tenuerent laeticiam’. Where Tanguy (and le Duc) suggested that the redactor replaced an original Letavia with Laeticia, Cullety holds to the other explanation, that Laeticia (possibly pays des Létes) is meant.
^[5] The translations of both Cullety and Jankulak seem to disagree on who it was that intended to build a monastery.

Text and translation provided by:

Paul E. Cullity
Department of History
Keene State College
Keene NH 03435-1301
603-358-2954

Dr Karen Jankulak
Director, MA in Arthurian Studies
Department of Welsh
University of Wales Lampeter
Ceredigion, SA48 7ED

Comments to: Paul E. Cullity, Dr. Karen Jankulak

Bibliography

Jankulak, Karen (2000): Cartulary of Sainte-Croix de Quimperlé, in: Literature and Politics in the Celtic World, pp. 218-247.*
Tanguy, B.: De la Vie de Saint Cadoc à Celle de Saint Gurtiern, in: Études Celtiques XXVI, 1989, pp. 159-185.*